It is early morning in Mistral. Ruby is lying on the ground on the patio outside of the training room. She watches a group of four birds flying together, before one of them flies away from the group. As she watches it fly, Ruby sees Yang peek over her head.
"You're up early" Yang said with a smile.
Ruby smiles back "Hey sis".
"Boop" Yang lets her hair down and uses it to tickle her little sister's nose. Ruby giggles affectionately at her older sister's action. Ruby then sits up as Yang sits down next to her.
Ruby sighs ""What are you doing up?"
"Can't fall back to sleep" Yang answered.
"Ah, me neither" Ruby said.
"Well, fortunately, coffee exists" They turn to see Weiss who carries a tray with three cups of coffee and walks over to join her teammates. She lowers the tray down so Yang can grab a cup.
"No, please!" Ruby begged with her hands in a X.
"Don't worry, I put in blasphemous amounts of cream and sugar, just for you" Weiss said as she holds the cup out in front for Ruby.
Ruby smiles "Oh yeah! Nice Weiss strikes again!"
Suddenly, Weiss pulls the cup away just as Ruby was about to grab it "I will pour this on you and it will burn".
She hands the cup to Ruby, who nervously giggles. Weiss sits down next her teammates and grabs her cup of coffee after placing the tray down next to her.
"Can't believe we're actually in Mistral" Yang said.
Ruby looked at her "That's what you can't believe?".
"Well, yeah! And all the other magic and stuff. But... Okay, you know what I mean!" Yang said playfully defensive.
"I honestly wasn't sure if I'd ever see you two again" Weiss said.
"Well, here's to defying expectations" Yang and Weiss clink cups together, while Ruby gulps her cup down in one go, opening one eye to glance at the others' cups.
"I just wish Blake could be here with us" The young Rose said, "She'd be thrilled to know Julius is alright."
"Yeah, well, she made her choice" Yang said in a tone the others did not like.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Weiss demanded.
Yang shows some clear bitterness "I mean she could've been here if she just stuck around. It's no big deal though. We'll be fine".
Ruby and Weiss have concerned expressions on their faces.
"Don't you want her here?" Ruby asked.
"Why would I want her here?" Yang said, her composer growing smaller by the moment.
"Are you still mad at her for leaving?" Ruby asked.
Yang scoffs "Oh, whatever gave you that idea, Ruby? No, I'm totally fine. I'm great".
"Okay, calm down" Weiss said.
Yang's eyes turn red "Don't tell me to calm down!".
Ruby and Weiss gain startled expressions with the former saying "Whoa, Yang".
Yang realizes what she did, and her eyes turn back to normal. Her hand shakes while holding her cup "Whatever".
She gets up and leaves. Ruby and Weiss watch her go before exchanging concerned looks with each other.
…
Back in Menagerie, Blake leans against the railing on the balcony of the Belladonna Family Home. She looks up into the night sky as a voice calls out for her from inside her home.
She feels a note taped to the wooden railing of the balcony. She grabs it and reads the message written down: Things going too far. Not sure what to do. Find a quiet spot, I'll find you. Come alone. Please.
Blake looks around a bit before hearing the sliding door open. She quickly places the note in her coat.
"Blake, you okay?" Sun asked.
"I'm fine, I just need to check on something" she replied. As she walks away, there is a quiet sound of rustling in the trees behind her.
…
Meanwhile, Sienna and Hector had almost made it to Menagerie. Sienna had decided to take over the controls while Hector made a call to someone else he thought could help, another huntsman team from the sound of it. Sienna didn't hear much, but it sounded like whoever he was calling was willing to help. After a few minutes, Hector walked back into the cockpit and sat down in the passenger seat.
"Well?" Sienna asked.
"He's in, and he's bringing his team with him." Hector replied, "He said they're able to get a transport and get to Menagerie to meet up with the rest of us, that way we'll all make it to Haven together."
Sienna nodded: "Sounds good. I hope this team you know is worth it."
Hector chuckled: "Considering they're all faunus and one of them shot me in the face, I'd say they are."
…
Back in Mistral, Yang sits alone on a bed looking at the "New Friends!" photo of Team RWBY. She hears a knock on the door and quickly puts the photo away "Yeah?" The door opens but Yang doesn't look up to see who entered "Look Ruby, I really don't want to talk about it, okay? Can you just leave me alone for a bit?" Yang looks up, and is surprised that it was not Ruby, but Weiss who is at the doorway "Oh. Hey Weiss. Did you need something?".
Weiss closes the door behind her and sits on the bed opposite to Yang " I figured you would have gotten over it by now".
Yang sighs "I know she's our teammate, but I'm not just going to change my mind. My mom left me. Ruby's mom left too. Tai was always busy with school and Ruby couldn't even talk yet. I had to pick up the pieces. I had to keep things together. Alone... Weiss, if you have something to say, then say it".
Weiss took a deep breath and sighs "When I was 10, my father finally admitted to my Mom that the only reason he married her was for the family name. It was actually on my birthday: he missed the big dinner, she got mad, he finally snapped. I guess she already knew. Looking back, I knew too, but hearing him say it, finally pushed her over the edge. First it was separate lunches and dinners, opposite balconies at my recitals, a glass of wine here, a glass of wine there. Then, it was no dinners, no recitals, a bottle of wine here and…" Weiss sighs as Yang moves over next to her.
"I'm really sorry" Yang said, "I shouldn't have assumed."
"You're right though" Weiss replied, "I don't know loneliness like you do. I have my own version, and…I'll bet Blake has her own version."
"She doesn't have to be alone though. I was here for her. We all were! She chose to leave us" Yang argued.
"Why do you think she did that?" Weiss asked.
Yang looked at her "Hm?".
"The entire time Blake was at Beacon, she was afraid to open up to people. She tried to keep her past separated from us, she tried to protect us. But then those barriers she had put up finally came down, and when they did, the one thing she was afraid of actually happened. The universe proved her right."
"No one blamed her for anything! If she had just talked to us, she would've known that! How could I be there for her if she doesn't let me? What if I needed her here for me?" Yang buries her face in her hands and starts sobbing quietly.
Weiss put a comforting hand on her shoulder: "I know it's not easy, I wish she hadn't left too. The only thing we can do now is be there for her when she's ready. When she comes back".
Yang sniffled: "IF she comes back."
"She will" Weiss said, giving Yang a warm smile, "Yang, you, Ruby, Blake, even Julius, are more like family to me than my brother and even my own father. I would do anything for you four, and I bet Blake feels the same way. So, when she's ready, I'll be there for her. And, I know we're not as close, but I'm here for you too. Plus, I have a feeling the when Julius shows up, Blake might not be far behind. For obvious reasons, of course."
Yang and Weiss shared a small chuckle at Weiss's joke when they heard a knock at the door as Ruby looked in: "Uh, is everything ok?"
"Yeah, everything's ok." Yang replied. Ruby sighed in content knowing Yang was ok.
…
Back with Sienna and Hector, the two were finally able to see the lights of Menagerie in the distance.
Hector stretched his arms: "Finally!"
Sienna nodded: "Indeed. Now, let's find Ghira and get this situation with the Fang sorted…"
"What?" Hector asked, confused by her stop in the sentence. Then, he noticed her frightened expression and followed her gaze to see smoke coming from the Belladonna's house.
"Uh oh." He whispered.
Sienna's expression quickly changed from shock to anger: "Attacking other faunus; those bastards won't get away with this!"
Hector cracked his knuckles: "Agreed."
With that, Sienna piloted the ship straight towards the house.
…
At the Belladonna's home, a scroll is seen vibrating on the table. Gunfire can be heard. Suddenly, the table is knocked to its side as Kali and a Menagerie Guard take cover "Get down!".
The guard gets up to fire back at two White Fang soldiers. He manages to shoot one of them down, but he gets shot down by the other. With the guard incapacitated, Kali takes his pistol and starts firing back "Get out of my house! Ghira!".
As she calls out to her husband, Kali is forced to take cover again from the gunfire.
Meanwhile, Ghira and a couple of other Menagerie guards fend off some White Fang troops in the entry hall. One of them tries to kick Ghira, but he grabs his foot and slams him into the wall. Ghira dodges a sword slash from another White Fang trooper. A guard manages to knock out another trooper after a brief scuffle, and Ghira knocks out the troop that attacked him by punching him in the diaphragm and slamming his head into the ground.
"Go find my wife!" He ordered.
Another White Fang troop approaches Ghira with his fist drawn back, but Ghira grabs his wrist and knife hands him in the neck, and then tosses him aside. Another guard gets shot while protecting Ghira and goes limp. Ghira catches the guard's body and drops it to the ground, with Ghira wincing at his fallen comrade. He then growls as he turns his attention to the Albains, who have their weapons out.
"I believe it's time our dear chieftain stepped down, brother" Corsac said.
"Yes brother, I'm afraid I'm inclined to agree" Fennec said.
Ghira lets his claws out and rips his coat off. He bares his fangs and makes a feral growl at the two brothers, before letting out a mighty roar.
Just then, a small metal object flies pas Ghira, stabbing itself into Fennec's weapon. Fennec looks to see what it is: a small, dagger like object with a red gem, and get a puzzled expression. Suddenly, the fire dust in the knife explodes, sending both Albains flying back. As both recover their sense and get back up they look back to Ghira, only this time, the chieftan isn't alone; Hector and Sienna now stand protectively in front of him, their weapons drawn. Both look thoroughly enraged.
"How DARE you try and attack the faunus! Your own kind!" Sienna shouts, authority strong in her voice, "And you thought you could get away with it!"
"With all due respect, Kahn" Corsac said, "Your method wasn't working anymore. Adam needed you out of the way."
"Adam may be the new leader, but he has no authority over ME or anyone here. I'll see to that." Sienna shot back.
"And how exactly do you plan to do that?" Fennec asked. Sienna looked to Hector: "Shall we?"
Hector looked back at Ghira: "Go find your family. We'll handle these punks."
Ghira nodded to Hector, then turned and ran off while Sienna and Hector faced the Albains.
"Let's get 'em" Hector said.
"Gladly" Sienna replied, and the two charged the Albains, Hector letting out what sounded like a jaguar's roar.
…
It is daytime at the Branwen Tribe camp. Raven sits in her tent with Julius as the two secretly talk amongst each other.
Suddenly, Vernal enters "Raven, we have a problem".
"What is it?" Raven asked.
"Salem's found us" Vernal said.
Julius gets a shocked expression as Raven's eyes widen briefly "Salem... okay".
"Five of her followers are waiting to speak with you" Vernal said.
Raven stands up "Right. We planned for this... Bring me my helmet" She looked at Julius.
"This is my fault" he said, looking down in shame, "They're probably tracking me."
"I doubt it." Raven said, "Don't be so hard on yourself." Then, as she puts her helmet on, "Stay hidden, though. If they are here for you, I'm not letting them find you." Julius nodded.
Outside of her tent, Cinder, Watts, Emerald and Mercury all stand and wait while the bandits surround them, eyeing them carefully. Julius peeked out from the tent, glaring in anger at Cinder.
Summer spoke in his head: So that's her?
Yup, Julius replied, That's her.
She's certainly got a face good enough for punching.
Raven steps out of her tent with her mask on as she addresses her bandits "I don't recall inviting so many guests into our home. Either I'm losing my memory, or you've all lost your spines!"
"Don't be too upset with them, Raven. Your men simply recognized the power of a Maiden when they see it" Cinder said as her eye glows and trails fire "Which is why we'd like to have a word with you".
"Leave us. Pack your things, then break down camp. We're moving" Raven told her tribe and the bandits all leave to do so.
"Little late to run and hide. You've been on our master's list for some time, so you must understand that we cannot allow you to slip away" Watts said calmly.
"I know all about your master, but I don't believe we've met" Raven said.
"We're the guys you should be afraid of" Mercury said smugly.
Raven was not impressed "I doubt anyone should be afraid of you".
Mercury was clearly offended by that "Oh yeah? Tell that to-"
"Quiet" Cinder ordered sharply and Mercury relents.
"That's what I thought" Raven said.
"I'm Cinder Fall. This is my associate, Arthur Watts, and my disciples, Emerald and Mercury." Cinder introduced herself and her team.
"Two children you've tricked into following you, a disgraced Atlesian scientist, and a Fall Maiden with a surname so appropriate, she probably picked it herself. Something tells me you've got more than a slight case of egomania, is that about right?" Raven asked.
Mercury and Emerald exchange a brief look, while Watts clears his throat "Technically, I was also a doctor, but I must say, the rest was spot on".
"Aren't you perceptive" Cinder said.
"It's what's kept me alive" Raven replied.
"I'm afraid the only reason you're still alive is because you have something our master wants. Of course, if I'm wrong..." Cinder activates her Maiden power again and holds out a small flame in her right hand, grinning evilly.
"Vernal!" Raven called out. Vernal steps out of Raven's tent and walks up next to her.
"So, this is the long lost Spring Maiden. Prove it" Cinder demanded.
Raven and Vernal share a glance with each other, with Raven nodding. Vernal sighs and closes her eyes. She holds her hands out and suddenly, the wind starts to pick up gradually. The blue sky turns to gray as clouds cover it. Leaves blow in the wind. Watts, Mercury and Emerald cover their faces as thunder is heard, while Cinder smiles in amazement as she watches the Spring Maiden unleash her power. Vernal then lowers her hands and opens her eyes as her powers settle.
"Vernal has done well under my guidance. I'd take that into consideration before you try anything" Raven said.
Watts and Mercury brush themselves off as Cinder speaks "Raven, I won't underestimate you, so please don't insult my intelligence. There is a slim chance you and your Maiden could escape today, but if you know our master as well as you claim to, then you know you could never truly escape her. But we come bearing an olive branch".
Watts walks up to Raven "The Maidens are merely a means to an end. Salem's true desires are the Relics locked inside the Huntsman Academies. Come with us. Allow Vernal here to unlock the Relic of Knowledge, and all previous acts of defiance against Salem will be forgiven" He whispers up to Raven's face "It's the best deal either of you are going to get" He walks away from them to rejoin his group.
"You talk as if walking straight into Haven will be easy" Raven said.
"That's because it will be. Headmaster Lionheart is loyal to Salem. And now, all we need is the key to the vault. You're not the only one to turn your back against Oz, Raven" Cinder informed.
Summer giggled: If only they knew.
Oh they will soon enough Julius replied.
Raven grips the hilt of her sword "I'm not helping Salem; I'm not helping Oz! I don't want a part in any of this!".
"That ship sailed when you chose to harbor a Maiden. But if you come with us to Haven, we'll leave you, your tribe, and your little secret to live out the rest of your lives squabbling in the wilderness. We just... need... the Relic" Cinder said in a deadly tone that left no room for arguments.
"I need time to think this over" Raven said.
"You don't have time. In two days, Haven Academy will be destroyed by the White Fang. You're going to choose now" Watts said sharply.
"Backed me into a corner, huh?" Raven asked.
"So, are you with us, or against us?" Cinder asked.
Julius narrowed his eye from his hiding place.
C'mon, let me at 'em! Summer said, I wanna put that bitch's other eye out so bad!
First off, get in line Julius thought, Secondly, not yet, we're still in stealth mode.
Summer groaned: I hate stealth mode.
After a tense moment, Raven removes her grip from her hilt and takes her mask off "Agreements like these are built on trust. And forgive me for saying, but I don't trust a single one of you. You're going to need to give me more".
"You are in a poor position to negotiate" Watts said calmly.
"I want my brother dead" Raven declared.
Cinder was surprised "Qrow?".
"That's right. He knows I have Spring. And if I help you get your Relic, he's going to become a problem. I have enough problems to deal with. Qrow doesn't trust me, but he does trust Ozpin's other lieutenants. If Leo really is loyal to you, then you can order him to invite Qrow into an ambush. He arrives at Haven, we take him down, you get your Relic, and we all leave happy" Raven explained.
Cinder smiled: "Now this is a proposition I can get behind".
Watts walked between them "Alright ladies, let's pause for a moment. We have one objective: retrieving the Relic of Knowledge. Now Qrow Branwen may be on our list of individuals we would very much like dead, but he's not going to go down without a fight, and he's not going to fight quietly. Our advantage here is just as you said, we walk straight into Haven, no resistance, no one the wiser. A battle with your brother throws that all out the window".
"He's good, but not that good. All of us against him? It'll be over in a heartbeat" Raven assured.
"But it's not just him. He has the students with him. He has Ruby!" Emerald pointed out.
"He certainly does" Cinder said "Not to mention the one called Dante: one of Sentinel Prime's strongest Huntsmen and the one responsible for Tyrian's condition."
"If we leave that school a bloody mess, we will draw the attention of the authorities! The Kingdom will be on high alert, and the White Fang's attack will be ruined!" Watts said, clearly not liking this plan.
"Then we wait. We wait until the full moon. Leo invites Qrow and his little fighters to Haven the same night Hazel and Adam arrive with the White Fang. As soon as the battle is won, the White Fang demolishes Haven, and any evidence we may have left behind is lost along with the school" Cinder said simply.
"Then, Salem leaves my people alone. For good" Raven said.
"You have yourself a deal" Cinder holds her hand out to shake with Raven's, but Watts suddenly grabs her wrist.
"Wait. Don't think I don't see what you're after. If this falls to pieces over your grudge with a child, I will not be taking the blame" Watts warned.
Cinder glares at him "Then what are you worried about?" Cinder activates her Maiden powers and burns Watts' hand, causing him to remove his grip and hold his hand in pain "Fly back home and tinker with your machines" She holds her hand out again in front of Raven "And tell Salem she'll get what she wants, and more".
Raven stands still for a moment, glaring at Cinder's hand in front of her, but then offers her own hand out and shakes it with the Fall Maiden, sealing the deal.
"Oh, and one more thing" Cinder said, "It's also come to our attention that you originally housed a particular huntsman called Julius."
Julius had to muster every bit of willpower to not teleport out there and blow all four of them to hell…as did Summer.
Raven glared: "What's my nephew to you?"
"It's nothing personal" Watts said, "It's just that Salem really has wanted him dead and there are rumors he survived the attack on Beacon."
"If he did," Raven replied, "He hasn't shown up back here. If he was alive, he already would have."
"We were just curious." Watts said, "We meant no disrespect."
"Anything to do with him is outside of our deal. If we do find him, and you so much as lay a finger on him, I'll cut your heart out."
Julius raised his eyebrows in surprise. Summer whistled in amazement in his head: Welp, wasn't expecting that.
Me neither Julius replied.
Watts stepped back and put his hands up apologetically: "If you say so. Like we said, we just want the Relic."
"And you'll get your Relic" Raven replied, "Now leave before I change my mind."
"As you wish" Cinder replied as the four walked off. Raven turned around and went back into the tent.
"Well that went well" Julius said.
Raven sighed: "It certainly could have been better."
Julius nodded in agreement: "Oh, and thanks for sticking up for me back there."
Raven nodded: "You're my nephew and one of my best fighters. I see no reason not to. Besides, once I deal with this crew, Salem should be off our backs for good."
Julius looked confused, but then smirked: "You're not really working with them are you?"
Raven smirked back: "Remember the time you, me, and Katrina raided that White Fang storage yard?"
Julius really got a mischievous look now: "You sly little birdie…"
Raven nodded in confirmation: "It'll be just like that."
…
Back in Menagerie, gunfire can be heard from within the Belladonna Family Home, as well as sounds of fighting grunts and efforts. Ghira Belladonna is leaping around the entry hall and uses his claws to hang from one of the pillars, before pouncing on a White Fang soldier and clawing him down. A female White Fang soldier charges at him with a spear, but Ghira grabs it, lifting her off the ground, and tossing her into Fennec Albain. Corsac Albain holds out his weapon, which starts to glow red as Ghira preps to launch the spear at him. A fireball is launched from Corsac's weapon as Ghira throws the spear. Sienna swoops in, knocking the fireball away with her whip and throwing another of the daggers, pinning Corsac to the wall.
"Brother!" Fennec gets back up and activates his weapon, which glows white as a wind gust is conjured from it.
Ghira brings his arms to his face to block the attack, and his feet drag backwards a couple of feet as a result. A White Fang soldier with an assault rifle is hiding behind a pillar and takes the opportunity in an attempt to attack Ghira. Suddenly, Sun Wukong bursts in from the window behind him and knocks him down. Meanwhile, Hector appears behind Fennec and gets him in a headlock. Corsac discards his hood and runs to save his brother, only to be brabbed in the neck by Hector's tail as both he and Fennec are thrown across the room. The two quickly recover and prepare to launch a combination attack with their weapons. A stream of wind and fire whirls toward Sun, but he blocks the attack by twirling Ruyi Bang and Jingu Bang.
He then calls out to someone "Hurry!".
Blake load and jumps down from the terrace above them, dodging a fireball and a wind attack in the process. She does a three-point landing in front of them. The brothers attempt to stab Blake, but she uses her ice Dust-enhanced Semblance to trap their hands and weapons.
She leaps away from them to join her father and Sun "Dad! Where's mom?".
"I'm not sure, I got ambushed right away" Ghira said.
"We just got here and we've been a bit busy with these clowns ever since." Hector said.
"Once we take down Corsac and Fennec-" Blake began but Ghira stopped her.
"No, go now" Ghira said.
Blake looked at him "But-".
"You keep assuring me your friend isn't a complete waste of space! Let's see him prove it" Ghira said.
"We got this, Blake. I've wanted to sock these creeps since the day we met!" Sun said.
Corsac uses the fire Dust in his weapon to begin melting Blake's ice clone.
"You'll have to get in line. Blake, go!" Ghira shouted
Blake does so and leaves the room. Corsac and Fennec free themselves, and prepare to fight.
"I won't let you down, sir!" Sun said.
"Shut up" Ghira ordered.
"Relax" Sienna reassured: "You've got backup."
"Let's make this quick" Hector said, deploying his arm blades.
"You got it!" Sun said and the four of them proceed forward.
…
Back at the Branwen Tribe camp, Raven sits on her bed leaning her forehead to her hand. Julius stands across from her. Raven hears someone enter her tent "Yes, Vernal?".
"I followed them as you asked" Vernal said. Katrina follows her in.
"Did they spot you?" Raven asked.
Katrina laughs: "Please. With my speed?"
Vernal scoffs "They have a ship two clicks west of here, looks like they're staying there for the night".
"Thank you, Vernal" Raven said before looking up "Anything else?".
"Do you... actually believe they'll let us go once they have the Relic?" Vernal asked.
"Of course not. They'll never leave us alone. Once our purpose has come and gone, we'll be discarded. Salem only uses people until they are no longer useful. If we want to have any chance of defending ourselves against her, then we need this Relic" Raven stands up from her bed "If Qrow and those brats want to follow Ozpin, then let them. When the chaos reaches its peak, we'll grab the Relic and make our escape".
"I've been trying to talk her out of that" Julius said, "A Maiden AND a Relic in the same place is only going to put a bigger target on your backs, and I know full well what that's like."
"I know. But I'm not sure we have much choice." Raven replied.
Vernal nods but decided to ask "What about the fact that your daughter will be a part of all that?".
"Doesn't matter. I warned her. She made her choice" Raven approaches the exit of her tent "This path won't be easy for us either, but we must do what's right for the tribe".
"I know. I'll do whatever it takes" Vernal said.
"You can count on me!" Katrina added, giving a playful salute.
"Good" Raven said as she exits the tent, "Gather all the warriors we have and ready the vehicles. Julius, you're the one with the plan, get them where you need them to be."
Julius nodded and goes to lead Vernal and Katrina to the rest of the camp: "This way, ladies."
The three walk out and notice a cawing black bird and the sound of Raven's portal activating. The scene transitions to the exterior of the Mistral Home. The sound of Raven's portal is heard closing as her bird form flies in. The scene then shifts back to the camp.
"Alright, Julius" Vernal said, "What's the plan?"
Julius chuckled: "Simple, we're going to save a kingdom."
…
Back at the Belladonna home, Blake bursts into the forked hallway. She hears the sounds of fighting to her right and proceeds down the left hallway. The scene transitions to show Ilia Amitola crouched on a balcony railing in a large room. She is donning her Grimm mask and hears the muffled sounds of fighting going on around the building. She then hears the door open and sees someone walk in on the floor below her. Blake takes a defensive stance as she notices her former friend standing up on the railing above her. The two reach for their weapons, with Blake gripping Gambol Shroud first. Ilia proceeds to grab her weapon's hilt. The two glare at each other as they got ready for the fight.
"Where's Hector?" Ilia demanded, "It's him I really want."
"You've gotta go through me first" Blake replied, raising Gambol Shroud.
Ilia raised her own weapon, electricity crackling across it as he gritted her teeth and growled: "So be it."
The fate of Menagerie would be decided tonight.
Let me know what you think so far!